Administration's Loss In Port Moresby Fire

rpHIS is part of the debris remaining, X after the Saturday afternoon fire had destroyed the Central Admini stration block, in Port Moresby, on Februaiy 12 (see February PIM). This photo shows a section of the office that was slightly isolated from the main block and, unlike the latter (which had a grass roof) it did not fall in—it had an iron roof. The debris on the tables consists of burned files and typewriters. All typewriters were lost.

In the grass-roofed part, chairs, tables and even files in steel cabinets were com pletely incinerated —a severe loss which has naturally caused much administrative disorganisation.

The cause of the fire is believed to have been failure to turn off an electric urn after morning tea on Satur day. The fire commenced soon after one o'clock* when all the staff had gqae home.